Bengaluru:
Runners-up Bengaluru FC notched up a crushing 4-1 win over DK Shivajians in an I-League encounter at Sree Kanteerava Stadium.
Skipper Sunil Chhetri’s 15th minute goal off a free-kick opened the floodgates for Bengaluru with Kim Song Yong (33rd), Shankar (53rd) and Len Doungel (80th) sounding the board.
The Blues thus braced themselves to snatch the top position in the points-table from Kingfisher East Bengal, who are second with 14 points, a point below the hosts.
Only once did the Blues’defense breached in the entire match when Kuttymani Sapath scored one past a hapless Amrinder after he was at the end of the cross from Douhou just before the halftime whistle.
Playing with Chhetri and Kim up front, Bengaluru started on an attacking note while Shivajians appeared to be settling down with the feel of the playing conditions.
In the sixth minute, Rino Anto pinged long in a bid to find Kim who lost the race with the ball. In 12th minute, Shivajians had their first corner of the match, but it was staved off successfully by Chhetri.
Moment of brilliance arrived for the hosts in 15th minute when Chhetri converted the freekick into a magnificent goal after he bent the ball over the wall which flew past Paul’s left to give Bengaluru’s first goal of the match.
It was Chhetri’s third goal of the season and second from a free-kick.
In the 18th minute, the Blues once again earned a free-kick after Stephen fouled Kim. Keegan looked to put in but the ball flew wide past the goalpost.
In 27th minute, Beikho Beingaichho sent a curler in but Paul dived to punch away, preventing Kim from getting the header in.
Second moment of brilliance came in 33rd minute after Kim rose to flick his header from Rino cross perfectly past Paul, giving Bengaluru their second goal of the match. This was Kim’s third goal of the season.
In 45th minute, Sampath scored one past a hapless Amrinder after he was at the end of the cross from Douhou.
Shankar scored the third goal and his first of the season for the hosts in 53rd minute after he tapped home before Paul saved Beikho’s header, but he hurt his ankle in the process.
In 58th minute, Shivajians spilled a chance after Adnaik’s header was saved by Amrinder of Amiri’s cross.
Last 20 minutes belonged to Bengaluru’s star striker CK Vineeth who created opportunities of scoring goals with his brilliance. In 73rd minute, he picked the ball up near the dugout, dribbled his way past two defenders to make space for the shot but it flew off target.
In 80th minute, Vineeth’s shot was controlled by Len, who poked home for his first goal in Bengaluru colors.
